L. Brooks Patterson touts pro-business agenda in State of the County address

Thursday, February 7, 2013

By Charles CrummFor the Daily Tribune

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson’s State of the County address was shorter than most he’s given.

The 19th address to an invitation-only crowd was a mere 14 pages, but Patterson’s prepared remarks encapsulated many of the points his prior speeches have highlighted.

Patterson’s remarks touted a pro-business agenda and county government efforts to save taxpayers’ money, as well as promote the county’s cultural amenities such as Fire and Ice in Rochester and the Brooksie Way Half Marathon at Oakland University.

The 74-year-old, as usual, couldn’t resist a couple of jokes, one at his own expense and another at Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel’s expense.

Patterson has been using a wheelchair as he recovers from severe injuries from a car crash last August in Auburn Hills.

In the first sentence of his remarks, he invited the audience to feel free to stand anytime they wanted to. “Personally, I think standing is overrated,” he quipped.

And in acknowledging Hackel, Patterson said, “Look around you, Mark, all these bright lights ... that’s called electricity, and Macomb should have it soon.”

In a more serious remarks at the end of the speech, Patterson asked for prayers for his driver, James Cram, who was left a quadriplegic from last August’s crash.

“The next time you’re talking to God, you might let him know that there’s a good guy down here who needs his help,” Patterson said.

Early in his prepared remarks, Patterson noted that the county’s economy had turned the corner with growth in per capita income and job growth, and with more new jobs expected locally in the coming year.

He also touted the success of Emerging Sectors, the decade-long effort to develop emerging business sectors and create higher-paying jobs, and the effort to make the county a “medical main street.”

Emerging Sectors, he said, has generated $2 billion in investment.

As he has in past speeches, Patterson spoke of Automation Alley, diversifying the economy, and individual accomplishments of county staff.

And for the second year, introduced his “Elite 40 Under 40,” a recognition of county residents younger than 40.

Two days before Patterson’s speech, Democrats said their own agenda was focused on early childhood development and job growth.

Patterson, a Republican, has a county commission likely to approve his proposals. Republicans hold a 14-7 majority on the commission.

Patterson’s speech can be viewed on Oakland County’s YouTube channel by going to www.YouTube.com and searching for Oakland County.